Astronomy

The Senni Valley is in the centre of the 5th 'International Dark Sky Reserve'. The Brecon Beacons Park Society has information on the 'Brecon Beacons Dark Skies Project'.

The International Space Station is often visible here. For details of when it passes over the area, and other information on what may be visible, see Heavens Above.

There are observatories nearby: The Spaceguard Centre near Knighton, the Alfred Russel Wallace observatory in Usk and at the Swansea Astronomical Society. The Mountain Centre Visitor Centre near Libanus is a Dark Sky Discovery site: a telescope in a dome there, is sometimes open for visitors.

The 'Astro Camp' at the village of Cwm Du attacts amateur astronomers twice a year at the campsite.

Usk Reservoir, OS 835285 N51.56.58 W03.41.55
The car park area at Usk reservoir is a beautiful place to have a family picnic as well as an ideal place to enjoy outstanding dark skies. The large flat area allows set up of telescopes and the road access from Trecastle means it is easily accessible. This area enjoys a naked eye limiting magnitude of 6.4 and is protected from the light pollution of the South Wales valleys.

Observations

Updated 20/02/2022